Pacífico Power Plant, Historic power plant in Retiro district, Madrid, Spain.
Pacífico Power Plant is a rectangular industrial building in the Retiro district housing three massive diesel engines and supporting machinery for generating electricity, constructed with brick and ceramic walls. The structure maintains its complete original equipment within a compact footprint designed for efficient operation.
The facility opened in 1924 when King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia attended the inauguration, powering Madrid's metro system for nearly 50 years. After shutting down in 1972, it transitioned from an active plant to a preserved historical record.
The building displays white tiles with blue accents and red ceramic floors that mark where machinery operated, showing how industrial design merged practical needs with visual care. These materials reveal the craftsmanship that went into everyday industrial spaces.
Visits are possible Friday afternoons and weekends, with free guided tours available through advance registration at museosmetromadrid.es. Planning ahead ensures you secure a spot and can confirm available times.
The plant still contains its original 1923 diesel engines, alternators, and transformers representing complete industrial equipment from that era. This preservation makes it a rare example of unchanged machinery from the early electrification period.
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